Hudson Valley Man Jailed For Assaulting Police Officer

On Monday in Orange County Court, 32-year-old Moises Almanzar of Middletown was sentenced to four years in state prison and three year’s post-release supervision in connection with an incident which resulted in a City of Middletown police officer suffering an injury to his knee.

At the trial, prosecutors argued that on January 4, 2017, a uniformed City of Middletown police officer told Alamanzar there was a warrant out for his arrest and he was going to be taken into custody.

Almanzar began to struggle with the officer and during the struggle, both fell to the ground. The officer hurt his knee, which caused him to miss six weeks of work.

Almanzar fled. When he was caught, he again struggled with police officers before being taken into custody.

“Injuring a police officer while resisting arrest is conduct deserving of lengthy incarceration in state prison,” Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler said. “Those who resist arrest place themselves, police officers, and the entire community at serious risk of injury and death. Under our system everyone who believes that they are being unfairly or illegally arrested has an opportunity to challenge that arrest in court, but they do not have the right to struggle with police officers in the street. Too many tragic situations have begun when individuals being placed under arrest have made the illegal, reckless, and dangerous decision to physically resist arrest. No police officer should suffer an injury merely by performing their lawful duty.”